Battery filling device



Jan. 18, 1938. r MQSHER Re. 20,627

BATTERY FILLING DEVICE Original Filed Au 7, 1951 ATTORNEYS Reissues!Jan. 18, 1938 "PATENT OFFICE BATTER-Y FILLING DEVICE Asa, H. Mosher,Westfleld, N. J.

Original No. 2,022,380, dated November 26, 1935,

Serial No. 555,729, August "I, 1931. Application for reissue November2,2, 1937, Serial No.

This invention relates to battery filling devices for delivering waterto storage batteries in such quantities, whenever required, as willmaintain the electrolyte betweenv maximum and minimum levels within thebattery.

An important object of the invention is,to provide a device of thecharacter mentioned which is simple in construction, cheap tomanufacture and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the .accompanyingdrawing, in whichv Fig. 1 is a fragmental view showing the deviceinstalled in an automobile and connected to the storage battery thereof;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view showing, .partly in elevation and partly insection, the storage battery, and also showing a reservoir cabinet inwhich the reservoirs, individual to the battery cells, are supported,the closure for the cabinet removed;

- Fig. 3 is'a vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2, theclosure for the cabinet being shown in full lines in its closed positionand in broken lines in its open position;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view of a battery capprovided with an air conduit and a liquid conduit;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4, and 7Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 64 of Fig. 5.

Although the device embodying this invention 35 may be employed inconnection with storage bat teries, regardless of the specific functionthat such batteries are to perform, it is herein shown and described inconnection with a battery 5 serving as part of the equipment of anautomo-- 40 bile, indicated fragmentally by the numeral 8 in Fig. 1.

The device embodying the invention comprises a reservoir cabinet 1 whichmay be conveniently mounted on the automobile remote from the 45 batteryas, for example, beneath the cowl, as shown. This cabinet is divided bypartitions] into a plurality of compartments, which correspond in numberto the number of cells in the battery. These compartments are adapted to50 snugly receive a plurality of reservoirs III, II and I2 which arepreferably square in horizontal section and are held againstdisplacement by a closure ll, the lower wall I! of which is hinged tothe lower wall It of the cabinet in such manher that it is permitted,when open to swing 8 Claims. (01. 137-68) downwardly to an invertedposition as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Preferably the closure i4is provided on its inner wall with a transverse cushioning rod or bar l1which, when the closure is locked in its closed position by a suitablesnap connected a plurality of anchor plates 2|; one for each compartmentof the cabinet 1. Each of these anchor plates is provided centrally withan opening 22 which, when the cabinet is closed, registers with anopening formed intermediate the bottom wall [5 of the closure and thebottom wall lGof the cabinet by notches 24 which are provided in themeeting margins of these walls. On each anchor plate 2| is mounted astopper 2!,

the base portion of which is formed with a recess 26, which registerswith the opening 22 in the anchor plate. Each stopper 25 is held in afixed relation on the anchor plate 2| by a suitable collar 21, whichencircles the upper end of the stopper and rests on an annular ledge 28provided thereon, the collar 21 being provided with a pair'of dependingangular arms 30 which are suitably connected to the anchor plate.

From theabove described stopper-mounting means, it will be understoodthat the stoppers are carried wholly by and are movable with the closureI 4, although such stoppers are in part supported by the lower wall lbof the cabinet when the closure is in its closed position. It will befurther understood that due to the relation of the stoppers to theclosure, the reservoirs may be placed in position, without danger ofspilling their contents, by first forcing the neck of the respectivereservoirs up on the stoppers while the closure is in its invertedposition, and by later moving the closure ll, together with the stoppersand their associated reservoirs to closed position, thus bringing thereservoirs into their vertical positions, as shown in Fig. 2, beneaththe springs 20.

Projecting through each stopper, are a pair of connector tubes 3| and32. These tubes communicate with the respective reservoirs and projectfrom the stoppers into the recesses 26 thereof, the projecting ends ofsuch tubes being adapted to receive thereon a pair of long, smalldiameter, iiexible tubes or pipes it and adapted to have bends alongtheir lengths to permit of their convenient installation in anautomobile as shown in Fig. 1, and which lead from the respectivereservoirs III, II and I2 to the respective cells 35, 31 and 38 of thebattery.

. With each cellis associated a battery cap 45,

which is provided with tubular extensions 4| and 42, the extension 4|being connected to the flexible tube or pipe 34 and arranged tocommuniso that each of these tubes reinforces the other,

as will be readily understood. To the lower end of the air tube 45, isconnected a cap 48; through the end or bafile wall 50 of which theliquid tube 41 passes. The lower end of the air tube or dumping chamber45 is provided with a relatively large vent or air intake opening 5|andwith a liquid discharge opening 52, both of which register withsimilaropenings 54 and 55 formed in the wall of the cap 48, and thelatter of which is located at a point lower than the vent or air intakeopening 5| for the purpose which will,

hereinafter more clearly appear. By reason of the presence of the bafllewall 55, of the cap 48 which closes the lower end of the air tube ordumping chamber 45, gas bubbles, such as occur during battery charging,are prevented from entering the respective reservoirs by way of therelatively large air tube or dumping chamber 45, it being noted that theopenings 5| and 52 are disposed substantially out of the path of travelof any rising gas bubbles, and hence do not permit gases to enter theair tube or quick dumping chamber under battery charging conditions. Asto the liquid tube 41, it will be noted that, due toits relatively smalldiameter, such gas as may approach the lower end thereof during batterycharging is prevented from entering the same, with the result that suchbubbles, in seeking the path of least resistance, will be deflected awayfrom the lower end of such tube and will move upwardly about the airtube or dumping chamber 45 in rising to the level of the liquid withinthe cell. i

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that each of the reservoirsis adapted to communicate with its corresponding-battery cell by way 'ofan air conduit and a liquid conduit, the former of which includes theconnector tube 3|, the

flexible tube or pipe 34, the tubular extension 4|, and the air tube orquick dumping chamber 45, and the latter of which includes the connectortube 32, the flexible tube or pipe 35, the tubular extension 42, and theliquid tube 41.

By reason of the fact that the lower ends 5:

the connector tubes 3| and 32 are located within the recess 26 of thestoppers 25, it will be appre ciated' that these tubes are adequatelyprotected against breakage under a ordinary conditions of use. As to theextens ons 4| and 42 of the caps 4|], such extensions are similarlyprotected by guard flanges 53 which surround the same,

the guard flanges being preferably formed integral with the respectivebattery caps.

With the reservoirs In, H and I2 mounted as shown and connected to therespective cells by the hereinbei'ore described liquid andv air con-'dumping chamber as a result of the prior battery filling operation isinstantaneously freed and permitted to escape through the liquiddischarge opening 52. Due to the sudden release of all liquid from theair tube or quick dumping chamber 45, the column of liquid within theair conduit is immediately shortened with respect to the column ofliquid within the liquid conduit as mea- 'sured from the level of theelectrolyte within the cell tothe level' of the water within thereservoir with which such cell communicates. shortening or unbalancepermits'the starting of the initial siphon flow as follows: As a resultof this quickly established difiere'ntial, the liquid within the liquidconduit moves downwardly by gravity, creating a partial vacuum in thereserdiameter flexible tube or pipe 34, is lifted by suction into thereservoir. As soon as complete displacement of liquid within the airconduit has been efiected, air is drawn into the reservoir, thusstopping the siphon flow. As this air bubbles up through the water, thusdestroying the partial vacuum, the water within the reservoir is free toflow into its corresponding cell, thus raising the level ofv theelectrolyte. As the level of the electrolyte moves up past the vent orair intake opening 5|,-the flow of liquid from the reservoir generatestherein a partial vacuum. As the partial vacuum becomes more and morepronounced, the flowof liquid is gradually'decreased and at the sametime liquid is sucked from the cell into the air tube or dumping chamber45 and thence intothe flexible tube or pipe 34 until such time as anequilibrium is established as between the reservoir and its associated dconduits, whereupon the flowof liquid from the This reservoir isdiscontinued. This state of equilibrlum is maintained until the vent orair intake opening 5| is again uncovered'by the receding electrolyte,whereupon the filling operation is again carried out as described.

There'is only a very limited depth of electrolyte available for suchaninstallation on top; of the separators and plates of an ordinary storagebattery cell, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be apparent that the liquidconduit opening (the lower end of tube 41) and the air conduit openings(openings 5| and 52) are closely spaced vertically so that both can bewithin this limited depth ofelectrolyte. The small difference of liquidcolumn height, possible in this limited depth will not be suflicient ofitselfto provide a nect the reservoir to the battery cap. Obviously itis not possible'for air to rise through the liquid or to bubble upthrough such small diameter v siphon flow. :Ihe quick dumping of theliquid pipes, particularly when the reservoir is in their lengths, asshown inTig. '1.

It will be apparent that this quick dumping chamber or air tube 45, withits relatively large cross-sectional area suiliciently large to permitbubbles of air to rise through the liquid therein to its top to thusrelease all of the liquid in this chamber, servesv as a very simpleautomatic (valveles's or stationary) means 'to start the from thechamber or air tube 45 supplies the immediate unbalance between theliquid column heights of the two legs of the siphon (i. e. the airconduit and liquid conduit) and thus permits commercially feasibleinstallation and operation of apparatus of this type in a very limitedvertical depth of liquid.

What is claimed is: 1. For use with an electric storage battery cell anda reservoir adapted to contain a liquid to be delivered to said cell: aliquid-level-control device comprising a liquid tube adapted tocommunicate with said reservoir and with said cell below the minimumliquid level of said cell; and an air tube adapted to' communicate withsaid reservoir independentlytof said liquid tube; said air tube having aliquid discharge opening through which said air tube is adapted tocommunicate with said cell and being provided at itsside with a ventopening through which said air tube is adapted to communicate with saidcell above the minimum liquid level thereof; said vent opening beingarranged to serve as a breath: er for said air tube at the beginning ofa battery filling operation," whereby the liquid left within said airtube pursuant to a prior battery filling operation is suddenly releasedby way ofsaid discharge opening; and said air tube being adapted toserve (upon the release of said liquid therefrom) as a breather for saidreservoir, whereby liquid is transferred from said reservoir throughsaid liquid tube to said cell until the level of the electrolyte israised above the level of communication of said cell'with said air tubeby 'way of said vent opening.

2. Foruse with ,an electric storage battery cell and a'reservoir adaptedto contain a liquid to be delivered to said cell: a liquid-level-controldevice comprising a liquid tube adapted to com municate with saidreservoir and with said cell below the minimum liquid level of saidcell; an air tube adapted to communicate with said reservoirindependently of said liquid tube; and a baflle wall associated with thelower end of said .air tube and adapted to serve as a guard against thepassage of gas bubbles from the electrolyte into said air tubeg' saidair tube having a liquid discharge opening throughwhich said air tube isadapted to communicate with said cell and being provided at its sidewith a vent opening through which said air tube isadapted to communicatewith said cell above the 'minimum liquid level thereof; said ventopening being arranged to serve as a breather for said air tube atthe'"beginning of a battery filling operation, whereby the liquid leftwithin said air tube pursuant to a prior-battery filling operation issuddently released by way of said discharge opening; and said air tubebeing adapted to serve (upon. the release of said liquid therefrom) as abreather for said reservoir, whereby liquid is transferred from saidreservoir through said liquid tube to said cell until the level of theelectrolyte is raised above the level of communication of said cell withsaid air tube by way of said vent opening.

3. For installation and use with a conventional storage battery cell andan individual otherwise sealed higher level liquid reservoir therefor:automatic but motionless electrolyte level maintaining apparatuscomprising, in combination, two small diameter pipes, one small diameterpipe being adapted to be connected at its upper end to the lower portionof said reservoir and having means at its lower end forming a small areaopening into said cell electrolyte on top. of the separators and'plates,the other of said small diameter pipes being adapted to be connected atits upper end to said reservoir, an upright quick dumping chamberextending from adjacent the top of said cell down into its electrolytehaving its upper portion connected to the lower end of said second smalldiameter pipe and having in its lower side portion relatively large areaopening means for the ready admission of air and quick, discharge ofliquid into the cell electrolyte at a level adjacent the maximum orstandard electrolyte level, said dumping chamber having a sufficientlylarge lateral cross-sectional area so that on exposure of said largearea opening means by a lowering of the electrolyte level air bubblescan readily rise through the liquid therein only to the top of saidchamber toquickly release all its liquid whereby there is provided astatic unbalance between the liquid in the legs of the siphon system(formed by the above elements) suiilcient tostart siphon flow down saidfirst pipe and of the liquid in said second pipe followed by air up saidsecond pipe into said reservoir until this air reaches the reservoirwhen siphon action stops and this -air reduces the reservoirs partialvacuum permitting liquid to continue to flow down said first pipe untilstopped by the closing of the dumping chamber opening means.

4. For use with a storage battery cell and an individual otherwisesealed liquid reservoir therefor positioned above said cell and remotetherefrom: automatic valveless electrolyte level maintaining apparatuscomprising, in combination, two long, small diameter, flexible siphonpipes adapted to havebends alongtheir lengths as installed, each pipe atits upper end being adapted to open into said otherwise sealed remotereservoir to form therewith a siphon system, an upright quick dumpingchamber having its upper portion connected to the lower end of one ofsaid pipes to form therewith an air conduit and preciably greater thanthat of said pipes and large enough so that on lowering of theelectrolyte level air can enter said chamber through its exposedcommunication and rise through the liquid in said chamber to its top toquickly release, the liquid therein and thus start the initial siphonaction or flow of liquid down said liquid conduit into said-cell and ofthe liquid; in said air pipe followed by air up said pipe into saidreservoir.

5. A storage battery cell cap adapted to be used with installedautomatic filling apparatus for said .cell and including an uprightquick dumping chamber of a limited but appreciable height adapted toextend adjacent to the top of the battery cell and down into thelimiteddepth of electrolyte on top of the cell separators and plates,said chamber having an otherwise closed upper portion with a smalldiameter opening and means to connect it to a corresponding smalldiameter pipe (both chamber and pipe being nor- 1 mally filled. withliquid) and liquid discharge and said battery cell and down into thelimited depth K of electrolyte on top of the cell separators and plates,said unitary housing being completely separated by an upright integralcommon wall into a small cross-sectional area liquid tube and an uprightquick dumping chamber of relatively large cross-sectional area largeenough for air to rise through liquid therein, said unitary housinghaving an otherwise closed upper portion for said tube and said chamberwith separate small diameter openings and means to connect them tocorresponding small diameter tubes for said tubeand for saidchamber,both of which have opening means in their lower portions into a theelectrolyte below the maximum level thereof. '7. Automatic butstationary filling and liquid level regulating apparatus to be installedin the top of a vessel in which there is only a very limited portion ofthe top liquid depth available and to be connected by two separate smalldiameter siphon pipes to a higher mounted otherwise sealed liquidreservoir; said apparatus comprising means of small cross-sectional areaconnecting and communicating one of said small diameter pipes with thetop of said vessel adjacent or below its maximum liquid level, and anupright quick dumping chamber extending from adjacent the topof saidvessel down into its liquid, said chamber having a cross-sectional arealarge enough to, permit air to rise through the liquid therein to itstop and means connecting and communicating its otherwise closed upperportion with the other of said small diameter pipes, and opening meansin its lower portion communicating with said vessel adjacent its maximumliquid level.

'8. For installation in liquid in a vessel having ,only a limitedavailable depth therefor and for connection with an otherwise sealedliquid reservoir positioned above said vessel; liquid level maintainingapparatus comprising, in combination, two small diameter liquid carryingpipes, one of said pipes adapted to be connected at its upper end to thelowerportion of said reservoir and having at its lower end means forminga small area opening into said vessels limited liquid depth, the otherof said pipes being adapted to be 30 dumping means being constructed andarranged to always quickly dump the liquid held therein upon apredetermined lowering of said vessels liquid level to provide asuflicient static unbalance to initiate siphon flow down said first pipeand of the liquid in said second pipe up into the res- 4 ervoir. l

ASA H. MOSHER,

